Chap.XIX. A Defcripion 0/ C E Y L O 
705 
in the Cinnamon Trade. One John Thijf- 
ftn a Mafter of a Veflel (afterwards Go- 
vernour of Malacca^ and now a Member 
of the Council of the Indks) who had 
bin a Prifoner in Ceylon^ having alfo late- 
ly given the faid Council anexad account 
of the Condition of the Ifle, it was re- 
folv'd 1637. to lend him forthwith with 
three Yachts, the Falcon^ the Voorhurgh^ 
and tht Lefer HoUandia^ and the 'Ruttcm 
Frigot, to the Coaft of Corcmandel ^ where 
coming to an Anchor before Paliacatta 
the laft day of Jugufi, and their Com- 
mifllons being open'd, he was, in con- 
junction with the Faftor Andrew Helmont, 
conftituted Envoy to the Emperor of 
Cejlon, 
Dutch En- Accordingly the 21 Jl oi OBoher they 
vsyslentto jqqI^ t\iz\r v/a.^ towards Tegm^atnam, 
Ceylon, ^^ere having furnifli'd themfelves with 
two Negroes (acquainted with that 
Country) they fet fail for Ceylon^ where 
they arriv'd within five or fix days after, 
and caft Anchor near the Village of Cal- 
mony or Calartne, about feven Leagues 
from the Caho de Fradres^ i. e. the Monks 
Cape. They fent immediately one of 
the two before-mentioned Negroes a- 
fhore, to get intelligence what part of the 
Country they were in i which being done 
by a certain Signal (a Fire made upon 
an adjacent Hill ) they fent him after his 
return, in Company of the other Negro, 
with a Letter of Recommendation from 
the Fadlor Chrimma to the Emperor of 
Ceylon^ under promife that they were to 
return in \6 days, which they did ac- 
cordingly, bringing along with them not 
only certain Hoftages, and among them 
a certain Hollander^ who living at the 
Emperor's Court, was willing to accom- 
pany them, and gave them very good In- 
telligence, but alfo the Lord High-Trea- 
furer of his Majelty, and John Alberts 
another Dwtc6-man, a Native of £mWm 
( who having deferted from Mr. Anthony 
Caens Ship, had fince ferv'd the Empe- 
ror in the quality of a Court- Martial ) 
in order to condud our Envoys to the Im- 
perial Court. 
Accordingly they fet out on their 
Journy from the Village of Samanture, 
and in four days arriv'd at Pangcrgame in 
the Country of Vintane^ where they were 
mve An- introduc'd the fame night by the Light 
fke'^Eme Torches into the Emperor's Prefence, 
ran ^^^^ ^^P^ ^'^^ Refidence at one of 
his Pleapjve-houfes on the other fide of the 
River Mavilgange. Their Reception was 
very magnificent, as will appear anon by 
the Enteitainment given to Mr. Gerard 
Hulfij whereof we lhall havt occafion to 
Vol UL 
give a move ample Defcription. The rs^/s./^ 
Credential Letters written by the Go- Baldays. 
vernour of Paliacatta^ and deliver'd by 
the Envoys to his Imperial Majefty, were 
as follows. 
To the 
Sing a ^ 
moft 
Potent Emperor Raja 
ion. 
Jliojl Potent Ewperor ! 
" OD protect your Imperial Mi- Lsfterfrom 
" jelly ! Your Majefty is not igno- ^'•'t' 
rant of the lone and tedious Wars we """"^ ^t' 
have lor fo many years lait palt earned ^/,^ £^^^„ 
on (by the Blellingof GoJ ) with good yor of Ccy- 
fuccefs both in Europe and the Indies 
" againft the King of Spain and Portugal^ 
" and how at this time we keep Goa^ their 
" chief City in the Indies^ blockM up 
" with fo numerous a Squadron of Men 
" of W^ar, that they are not in a Con- 
" dition to relieve any of their Subjedts 
" from thence. We have undei flood by 
" your Majefly's Letter the many Out- 
" rages, Infolencies, Treafons and Wars 
" carried on by the Portuguejes again fl 
your Majefly fince their Settlement in 
" your Territories, contrary to the En- 
" gagements, Treaties and Confedera- 
" cies made betwixt you and them ^ all 
" which they have treacheroufly broken, 
in order to make themfelves Maflers of 
" your Empire, and to impofe the raoft 
mifcrable Slavery upon your Sub- 
jefts. Our General of Jacatra being 
informed of thefe Dellgns, and your 
Majefly's raofl commendable Intenti- 
ons to free your Country from fuch 
unwelcome Guefts, and to fecure your 
Subjects againll all Violences, by fweep- 
ing out the very Remnants of the 
Portugueses : The General, I fay, be- 
ing extremely rejoic'd at this Refolu- 
tion, and more efpecially that your 
Majefly defired our Afliflance, did give 
immediate Orders for the difpaLching 
" of thefe Envoys, to treat with your 
Majefly, and to declare to you the 
fincerity of our Intentions towards 
your Majefly and your Subjects, in 
the fame manner as the Effeds thereof 
have been fufficiently approv'd by ma- 
ny of your Neighbouriiig Princes and 
N'itions. If your Majefly will be 
pleafed to allow us the Exportation of 
fome Cinnamon, we oblige our felves 
to afTift your Majefty with Mufquets, 
Powder, Ammunition, and other Arms ; 
fothat in cafe you will order two or 
more Ships Cargo's of Cinnamon to be 
got ready for our ufe againft May 
Yyy y " nexc. 
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